NJ Transit equipment recovery work continues

New Jersey Transit Corp. has awarded Bombardier Transportation a $16 million contract for repair to its BiLevel fleet damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy last October.

Bombardier was awarded the contract as a "sole source" vendor, according to NJT Executive Director James Weinstein. By doing so, the cars remain covered by the 35-year warranty Bombardier offered when it built the equipment. Bombardier built the cars. The move also allows NJ Transit to keep its insurance coverage, Weinstein said.

So far, NJT said, 89 rail cars and 43 locomotives have been repaired. NJT has received 48 new BiLevel cars out of 100 ordered in 2010, John Durso Jr., NJ Transit spokesman, told local media.

NJ Transit also approved a contract with ORX Railway Corp. to supply 730 wheels, axles, bearings and and gears for damaged rail cars and locomotives. Also, a $1 million amendment was approved with Hall Construction to make emergency repairs to the Hoboken terminal waiting room, restrooms, and vendor space; the areas are still off-limits to customers and pedestrian traffic.

"Virtually, all the fleet will be back in calendar year 2013, not calender year 2014," Weinstein said.